Popular Beliefs About Epilepsy During the Renaissance
During the Renaissance, epileptics were regarded as prophets who could see into the past, present, or future while having a seizure.
People with epilepsy were regarded as intelligent because many famous figures had epilepsy, including Julius Cesar and Petrarch.
Epilepsy was called the "falling disease." It was generally thought that seizures occurred when demons or spirits entered the body.
Epilepsy was regarded as a horrible disease.
(Alperstein) For a complete citation and a link to this web page, please visit our works cited page.
Treatment of Epilepsy During the Renaissance
Copper, zinc oxide, silver nitrate, mercury, bismuth, and tin were all used during this period to treat epilepsy.
Secretions from the scent glands of beaver, called castor, were ingested to treat epilepsy.
Ingesting scrapings from a human scull for several months was thought to treat epilepsy. Men had to have scrapings from a female scull and women from a male scull.
Ingesting mugwort (artemisia vulgaris)
Ingesting absinth made from parts of the mugwort plant
It was later found that none of these cures were effective against epilepsy.
(Therapy from the Renaissance to the Present) For a complete citation and a link to the web page, please visit our works cited page. back to the original
Epilepsy During the Renaissance
Popular Beliefs About Epilepsy During the Renaissance
- During the Renaissance, epileptics were regarded as prophets who could see into the past, present, or future while having a seizure.
- People with epilepsy were regarded as intelligent because many famous figures had epilepsy, including Julius Cesar and Petrarch.
- Epilepsy was called the "falling disease." It was generally thought that seizures occurred when demons or spirits entered the body.
- Epilepsy was regarded as a horrible disease.
(Alperstein) For a complete citation and a link to this web page, please visit our works cited page.Treatment of Epilepsy During the Renaissance
- Copper, zinc oxide, silver nitrate, mercury, bismuth, and tin were all used during this period to treat epilepsy.
- Secretions from the scent glands of beaver, called castor, were ingested to treat epilepsy.
- Ingesting scrapings from a human scull for several months was thought to treat epilepsy. Men had to have scrapings from a female scull and women from a male scull.
- Ingesting mugwort (artemisia vulgaris)
- Ingesting absinth made from parts of the mugwort plant
- It was later found that none of these cures were effective against epilepsy.
(Therapy from the Renaissance to the Present) For a complete citation and a link to the web page, please visit our works cited page.back to the original